A MOVIE charting the early days of the historic Bo’ness Hippodrome cinema is now available to view on YouTube.
“An Escape from Reality”, made by pupils at Bo’ness Academy, has been uploaded to the video sharing site by producers Strange Boat Films.
The 14-minute film features interviews with a range of local people, talking about their memories of the Hope Street picture palace, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in March.
The building was re-launched in 2009 after a £2 million revamp. It is the oldest purpose-built cinema in Scotland.
Bo’ness Labour Councillor Adrian Mahoney, Falkirk Council’s leisure convener, said it was great to see the film online. “The film’s been shown several times at the Hippodrome and always gets a fantastic response. It’s wonderful to hear people in the movie talk about their memories of the Hippodrome and what made it so special to them.”
Work on the film began in 2006. With nearly £7000 support from the National Lottery, pupils embarked on a short project to collect Hippodrome memories. But there was “so much information” it went well beyond its original production timescale.
Interviewees in the film are shown talking about Hippodrome proprietor Louis Dickson, the Bo’ness Fair films and other popular movies shown in the venue – and the romances that blossomed thanks to the cinema.
To see the film click: http://bit.ly/escapefrom
HIPPODROME STORY
The Hippodrome, built in 1911, is the earliest surviving purpose-built cinema in Scotland.
It was commissioned by cinema pioneer Louis Dickson and designed by a local architect, Matthew Steele, in a prominent corner position in Bo’ness town centre.
It is an A-listed building, reflecting its importance in the history of cinema and the development of 20th century architecture. It was officially opened on March 11, 1912.
The Hippodrome was built during Bo’ness’s heyday as a centre for heavy industry and coal mining. At one time, the town was one of Scotland’s largest shipping ports.
Today, Bo’ness is primarily a commuter town. The pits have closed and the dock stopped operations in the late 1950s. However, the Hippodrome survived.
It continued to operate as a cinema until 1975. It stopped showing movies that year, but continued to be used as a bingo hall until its closure in the 1980s.
The building fell into disrepair and lay empty for two decades. It was subjected to damp, fire and vandalism. Luckily, funding was found to restore it – and in 2009 it was re-opened as a cinema. It now shows everything from community films and arthouse and world cinema to the latest Hollywood blockbusters. It also hosts talks and special events. In 2011, it hosted Scotland’s first silent film festival.
The building is now owned by the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust and operated by Falkirk Community Trust on behalf of Falkirk Council.
Much of the original fabric and character has been recreated in a £2 million restoration – which has seen the reinstatement of a 1920s colour scheme. The Hippodrome offers all the glamour of an old-fashioned picture palace, with all the latest technology showing the films themselves. It is a wonderful building to visit and to enjoy movies in.
The opening of the cinema has gained international attention and brought new visitors to Bo’ness. The restoration of the Hippodrome is seen as a key part of the ongoing revitalisation of this Outstanding Conservation Area.
HIPPODROME AWARDS
- Scottish Civic Trust: My Place Awards 2010 (Commendation)
- Stirling Society of Scottish Architects 2010 (Winner – Best Building)
- RIAS Andy Doolan Award for Best Building in Scotland 2010 (Shortlisted)
- Voted one of Scotland’s best cinemas by STV
- Also featured in The Scotsman, The Guardian, on BBC News, the Daily Mail, the Daily Express, etc.
Find out more at www.falkirk.gov.uk/hippodrome
